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Style Projector

Underwear: how to dress your most important parts
by Corey Gutch - SGN A&E Writer For decades the undergarment industry focused exclusively on women's lingerie, with department stores offering entire floor sections to items in a confounding array of styles, colors and fabrics. Men's furnishings departments were like an afterthought with only a few racks of almost identical packages of the same three cuts and colors. That's changed, and today underwear is as much a fashion accessory for men as it has been for women. But don't worry I'm not talking about the oppressive girdle or the hideously tasteless, and inappropriately prevalent thong! Yuck. Often overlooked by many men, underwear can also speak volumes about your style to someone that matters the most - you. It's a fashion item that's no longer an afterthought in our own minds, and shouldn't be thought of as something you just pick up at the end of a shopping trip. It should be something you specifically shop for. There are only three styles to consider when shopping for underwear: briefs, boxers, and boxer briefs. It's important to consider the ensemble you choose to wear on the outside when determining what style to wear under your clothes. Briefs were long considered the least fashionable of all men's underwear styles. We all remember the endless jokes about tighty-whitey's? Nowadays briefs are definitely the preferred choice of underwear for men, and definitely the sexiest. Briefs are a good choice for undergarments because they offer good support, they're good for sports, and they help to show off your attractive body and good equipment. Briefs are the best option when wearing fitted trousers, since the extra fabric in boxers will bunch-up and make you look like you're wearing a diaper. Boxers are considered pretty much out when it comes to style, and can only be worn with loose fitting pants. Boxer briefs are a good compromise and can be worn with most pant styles. Just be sure your pants are loose enough to avoid showing an embossed mid-thigh line - NOT attractive. The conscious knitwear empire American Apparel (200 Broadway. Ave E) offers a fantastic retro style brief. Their brief is actually their best selling item in store, which is no surprise at only $12 a pop. They're made from the same soft, sweatshop-free cotton as their shirts, they're label-free, and come in an array of 23 contrasting colors that will surely appeal to anyone's sensibilities - but remember: Light colored underwear with light colored clothing, dark colored underwear with dark colored clothing. Simple. If you're willing to have a little fun and make a statement with your underwear, you should take a look at the line of briefs and boxer briefs from Ginch Gonch. Ginch Gonch's styles have been seen wrapping waistlines in magazines from Out to Tokion to GQ. Their motto "Live like a kid" is evident in their take on adult Underoos with fun prints like the "Superhero" and the "Crotch Rocket", ranging from $21-31. Check them out at www.ginchgonch.com. Gregory Sovell, the founder and creative director of the hugely popular line of 2Xist underwear, recently launched his new line C-IN2 which has been all the rage in fashion. C-IN2's philosophy is to provide products that look, fit and feel better, using only the highest quality and design standards, the best fabrics and construction methods. C-IN2 offers a wide range of cuts. Just one of their innovative designs is the Low No Show Army Sling - a low rise trunk with plush elastic waistband, comfy microfiber knit and sling support. This style is meant to fit perfectly under those low-rise jeans you're wearing, and it does. You can find C-IN2 in an array of candy colors at Ian (1919 2nd Ave.) and Kuhlman (2419 1st Ave) for around $22. So remember, when you feel and look good in the garments that are closest to your skin, you'll project that confidence and style on the outside. You'll also be hiding a secret weapon for seduction for that special someone who gets a peak underneath. As fashion pioneer Vivienne Westwood says, "Fashion is about eventually being naked."